Two picks in the fourth round today, and I'm still hopefull the the Browns find a quality WR before the day is over. According to some quick research here's the Top 10 of who's left.

Joe Adams

Jarius Wright

Devon Wylie

Nick Toon

Marvin McNutt

Marvin Jones

Justin Criner

Chris Givens

Eric Page

Keyshawn Martin

From the little bit of homework I've done on each of these guys, I'm slightly encouraged that we can still come away with a guy that may have at one time been considered 2nd or 3rd round talent - depending on who's scouting report you read, of course.

I think for The Browns offense I'd prefer 1. Jarius Wright 2. Nick Toon 3. Marvin Jones 4. Chris Givens.

I've stated in the past that I don't follow the College game, so any of you that do - I'd like to hear your input.

Now that some personnel decisions and draft trades have occurred, I took another look at the upcoming season's Home and Away opponents. One thing is for sure, The Browns need to find a way to take advantage of their "Twelfth Man". Of course, with the exception of the 2007 season in which The Browns won 7 of 8 home games, this could have been said every year since 1999. The home wins since 1999, if you need the painful refresher, are in chronological order as follows; 0,2,4,3,2,2,4,2,7,1,3,3 and 3.

That's not going to cut it this season. Average less than 3 home wins this year and we'll be "Blowing for Barkley". Here's why;

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This idea was proposed in the new Wednesday Off Topic Thread amongst all The Masters talk. I mentioned the idea, and threw out the possibility of organizing the event. First, I'd like some more feedback.

Please post if you would like to attend. I think that in order to do some real "official" golf outing activities (sponsors, door prizes, possible Browns players) we'd need at least 9 or 10 foursomes. I think DBN members and friends or family should be welcome, possibly with limitations - I'm sure nobody wants me and 7 guys from my regular Sunday group.

Location? I have a copy of John Tidymans "The Cleveland Golfers Bible", and at one time was attempting to play every course in the book. If you're a golfer within 30 miles of Cleveland that enjoys playing different places - buy this book.

I am very familiar with a multitude of courses in the area, but the first one that comes to mind when I think of a central location for East siders, West siders, and those coming from the south is Sleepy Hollow in Brecksville. Beautiful Metroparks course, great views and a ball buster. Took me forever to break 90 there and I don't know if I could do it today! All that said, I'd be open to suggestions for another location.

I'm also going to throw out late summer for a time period. I just found out Friday that I'll be taking a new, high profile position in my company as of May 1, so my free time will be limited for a bit. Assistance in planning this (if it becomes) would be welcome!

Well Ok, not THE final word - just my final word on this whole "RGIII thing.

I'm sure nobody out there is keeping track of my comments but I can save you the time in searching them if you feel so inclined. I can assure you that over the last few weeks I have never said "we have to get RGIII no matter the cost", nor have I ever said "Why make a huge trade for a guy that could bust". I haven't made a comment advocating trading up, trading down or otherwise. I've just read, watched, and waited.

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Something that just came up in another thread, and that I personally always find interesting is where do you live, and where have you come from? I've been a northeast Ohioan for my entire life. I've lived within the city limits of Cleveland three times in my forty years on earth, and currently live about six miles outside of town in Parma Heights. Tell us where you live, where you have lived and what were or are the challenges you face specifically as a Browns fan due to your location. I always feel the pain of the people in game threads just dying to find a good feed of the game. It always reminds me of the early 90's when we faced blackouts and had to drive to bars in places like Sandusky to see the games. Have fun with the filler.....how many days till the draft?

I'm already tired of reading mock draft posts, and the mundane arguments of RGIII vs. Colt McCoy, Blackmon vs. Trading Down, trading up, Peyton Mannings likely landing place, Matt Flynn's value, and free agency is still a couple of weeks away. Getting old already, and it's only February. So, when I read the quoted posts below in another thread it inspired me.

What if the Browns finally did reach The Promised Land in say, 2014? That's the year The Super Bowl to be held in the new Meadowlands Stadium. It's only a straight-shot 8 hour drive from Cleveland, and New York City is one hell of a town to party in. I chose Detroit as an opponent only because I thought it would be kind of cool for both towns to end their Super Bowl drought together. I'm sure the networks would not be amused.

So, the Browns are finally in the Super Bowl.......

What do you do?

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I seem to remember a while back a lot of DBN members posting that they had tickets to this Sunday's game against the dreaded Ratbirds. I'll be attending, and with the game being moved to a 4:05 start, this might be a good opportunity for some of us to actually meet in person. If you prefer the anonymity of the internet, I understand completely, but I'm of the opinion that it might be kind of cool to put a face to some of the names around here.

I have plenty of ideas for good meeting places, but am open to suggestions.

Anybody have any interest in making this happen?

Ok All, I need some input.

I'm in a pretty big money Knockout pool, and we've gone from 67 entrants down to 5 remaining players. This is a "Losers Pool" so you have to pick one losing team each week and can only use each team once.

I have already used;

Kansas City

Miami

Indy

Denver

Cleveland

Minnesota

Arizona

Seattle

St. Louis

Tampa Bay

Carolina

This week is tough, and to make things even more difficult the only "lock" for next week would appear to be Jacksonville Vs. San Diego.

And so, it's my understanding that my choices for this week are (first team listed in BOLD is available unless "both" is specified)

Dallas Vs. Miami

Green Bay Vs. Detroit (both)

San Fran Vs Baltimore (both)

Atlanta Vs. Minnesota

Cincy Vs Cleveland

Jacksonville Vs Houston (both)

Buffalo Vs NYJ (both)

Tennessee Vs Tampa Bay

Chicago Vs Oakland (both)

Washington Vs Seattle

New England Vs Philly (both)

San Diego Vs Denver

Pittsburg Vs Kansas City

NYG Vs New Orleans (both)

Right now I'm leaning toward taking Jacksonville or Tennessee and Washington is tempting, but Seattle sucks enough to make that a scary proposition. My pick is due by 3PM tomorrow.

Any input would be appreciated, and that's genuine .

Ahhh what a tremendous morning! I got out of bed, made the morning coffee, caught up on a little news, all the while counting down the minutes till the clock struck 10:00.

Every year on the day Browns single game tickets go on sale I perform the same ritual, along with logging into my Ticketmaster account, making sure the credit card info is current and pulling up the page for the season opener's tickets.

The opener is by far my favorite game to go to. I got my tickets this morning and thankfully this year we open the season at home again. I was very disappointed last year to find out we were on the road for the first game. There is nothing like the atmosphere tailgating in the Muni Lot on a hot, sunny September Sunday. A big party where everyone is happy (except maybe those wearing the opponents jersey) and the air is filled with optimism that has yet to be tainted by a game lost.

In the past I've bought a four game package, sometimes just three. After my experience the last couple of years I only bought two games this year, the opener and Dawg Pound tickets for the Ravens game. If the past is any indication, I'll end up getting phone calls from friends with extras or some comp tickets from work and go to my usual four to six home games.

I've wanted go to an away game for years. I seriously considered San Fran and Houston this year, and Arizona in December sounds awfully tempting too, but the finances may put off the experience for yet another year.

I'll probably never be a season ticket holder. I enjoy experiencing the games in many different ways over the course of the season. My wife and I frequently have a house full on football Sunday's, with a big pot of soup or my famous chili on the stove. My fantasy league tries to get together at a bar with the Sunday Ticket at least once a season for some face to face trash talk. Two bars in my neighborhood have Steelers Backers Clubs for every game, so defending our honor (or absorbing abuse, depending on the game) once a season is a must. My mom usually takes a turn cooking, if she's not at the game - it would be hard to determine which of us is the bigger Browns fan.

All this brings me to the questions; What is your favorite way to experience a Browns game, and what are some of your Football Sunday traditions?

After the very enthusiastic discussion on Automobiles, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about one of my greatest loves, Motorcycles.

Motorcycles are in my blood.  My father is a retired City Of Cleveland Motorcycle cop.  My uncles all ride Harleys.  My grandfather rode, my sister got her endorsement a few years ago and after some encouragement from me, my wife also rides her own bike.

I've been riding a street bike since I was 18 and bought my first bike with my first real income tax return.  I can't imagine not owning a motorcycle. 

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Was today not the day that Homgren was to meet with the coordinaters regarding their job status? 

So far I have not seen or heard a report anywhere.  Anybody that has Twitter access hear anything? 

I would think that the Cleveland media (with it's current drought of viable sports news) would be dying for a story with more teeth and substance than conjecture about who may be interviewed for the Head Coaches position. {yawn}

I mentioned in a thread earlier this week that I had an interesting piece of Browns memorabilia and had a request to post some pictures, so here it is, along with a little background.  I checked with my grandfather for a few more details since my last post.

In 1981 I was 10 years old and already a die-hard Browns fan.  This affliction is hereditary, after all.  The end of the previous season I had also experienced my first real heartbreak at the hands of a Cleveland sports team, "Red Right 88".  I can remember jumping up and down on the bed with my little sister that year, playing the 45 of The Ten Days Of A Cleveland Browns Christmas and singing every word along over and over again.

We watched every game in my household.  My parents had family and friends over for 'The Game" nearly every week and football had already started to become a religion for me at a young age.  I also had already been playing football in school for two years by 1981.

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The world is an ever shrinking place.  It seems that every day I stumble upon another situation of knowing someone that knows someone that I know....etc.

Someone on DBN must  - in some way be affiliated with someone that works for,manages, owns or at least frequently patrons an I-hop. 

They need to be informed that not only are they missing out on pure marketing genius, but they are tempting the wrath of the most prolific Left Tackle currently playing in the National Football League.

IHOP - without delay should institute a daily "Triple Stack Pancake Special" to be dubbed "The Joe Thomas".

Members of DBN could start their Sunday Tailgating or game day prep by ordering a "Joe Thomas Pancake Special".  And life would be good......

After reading this mornings Plain Dealer article on Roger Goodell's visit to Browns camp yesterday a couple of things occurred to me.

Goodell says that the preseason games are an "inferior product" and that the fans have made that clear.  I don't know about you - but I believe (and think most fans believe) that all 4 games are "inferior product" and probably unnecessary.  I don't want to pay full price for parking, tickets, beer, food - etc. for any meaningless game.  What difference does it make if there are 2 "inferior" games or 4?  Preseason has been labeled as an "Inferior Product" by the Commissioner of the league.  Think about that!

I happen to believe that it would be just as beneficial to have 2 "controlled scrimmages" against other teams at a neutral site.  Much like the old Lake Erie Classic with Buffalo.  Coaches could make decisions on the younger players in an environment that is much safer for the players.  As a fan - nothing is worse than seeing a high profile player go down in a meaningless exhibition.  The NFL could also expand exposure by staging the games towns without NFL franchises - or even overseas, Canada and Mexico.

This statement by the commish, along with the owners assertion that they'd like an 18 game season leads me to believe this is part of a negotiating ploy.

I have personally been a part of Union negotiations - both as a Union Member and on the Management side of the table.  Both sides like to come in with guns blazing and over the top demands.  This makes concessions easier and allows both sides to feel like they had some give and take.  All parties can walk away in the end feeling like they won some and lost some.

The NFL broadcasting contract runs through 2014.  I don' t believe that the NFL would even consider adding two regular season games to the schedule until the TV contract could be renegotiated.  Networks will have to pay more to reflect the addition of more "Superior Product" by the NFL.  These two games aren't even a viable issue for at least 3 or 4 years and don't need to be a part of the current negotiations.

For this reason alone I feel like the addition of two regular season games is a smokescreen.  But - if you were to combine the owners "losing the battle" of adding the TV and stadium revenue of the desired additional games, and the "loss" of 2 preseason games -  Would that be enough of a negotiating table "concession" to offset the 18% in player salary reduction being asked?  Maybe - or maybe a 10% reduction - along with a greater contribution by the league into the players retirement or medical fund?

The bottom line is that the players (rightfully, in my opinion) have made it clear that they do not want  an 18 game season.  Todays off-season requirements combined with extending the season is unthinkable and physically impossible to most players- from what I've read and heard.

Add these two games and you run the risk of the end portion of the regular season becoming the "inferior product", and not the preseason.  The owners and commish know this - they are already trying to address this fact through scheduling changes this year.  Imagine having to try to control the playoff teams playing strategy for two more games if the division is locked up.

Give this one a read......

http://www.whatifsports.com/beyondtheboxscore/default.asp?article=2010NFL_AFCNorthPreview

 

I consider myself to be a realistic fan, able to remove myself emotionally when seriously analyzing the schedule, roster and our chances

I've said over and over that 6-10 is probable, 7-9 would be a pleasant surprise and I would be overjoyed with 8-8.  Outside of the first two games, the schedule is brutal.  But come on - really?  1-15?  The computer these guys use spits out 1-15?  What is it a Commodore 64? A 286?

 

I see it this way;

The first two games are very winnable.  I was originally a little bummed when I saw that we didn't open at home for the first time since '99, since the opener is my favorite game to attend.  Starting with a clean slate, the festive mood in the Muni Lot, the pageantry, the fly over - and best of all - no sour mood from last weeks loss.

After giving it some thought though (Ok, seeing the Buck's on the schedule didn't hurt) I started to think that a week one road win could translate into an even better opener.  One with the very real prospect of going 2-0!  So, lets for the sake of argument against the folks at Whatifsports.com, assume that we are 2-0 after two.

Game 3 - A road loss to the best team in the division, as much as it pains me to say.  I really can't decide whether I hate the Ravens or Steelers more.

2-1.

Game 4 - Home against the Bengals.  I always like to start out the year believing we can split the division games.  This year the only exception is Baltimore.  I see the "Division Champions" more as the team that showed it's true colors by stumbling into the playoffs last year.  Browns win,  fan enthusiasm erases memories of LeQuit.

3-1

Game 5 - Home Vs. Atlanta.  I really don't know what to make of this one, but I lean toward thinking we get torched by Matt Ryan and Roddy White, Turner & Norwood combine for 150 yds.  First home loss.

3-2

Game 6 - Browns take advantage of a rusty Big Ben, in his second game back from suspension (early, of course) and get their first win in Pittsburgh since '03.

4-2

Game 7 - If anybody would like to provide an argument for why the Browns would beat the Super Bowl Champs, on their own turf, I'd love to hear it.  Saints roll.

4-3

Game 8 - After a mid season bye - in my opinion the best time - Could the Browns fans finally get revenge on Belichick for jettisoning the home town hero so many years ago?  For becoming a Super Bowl winning genius AFTER leaving town?  In a word, no.

4-4

Game 9 - At home Vs. The Jets.  The Browns prove two things to the Jets - our passing on Sanchez was not a mistake and their letting Thomas Jones go was. Oh - three things - Braylon still sucks.  8 linebacker formation confuses Sanchez into crying in the fetal position.  Our Ryan beats the Jets Ryan at his own game.

5-4

Game 10 - At Jacksonville Jaguars.  I just don't see how this team is much better than the one that gave up in the last game of the season last year.  It was good of DelRio to call out his QB's abilities (or lack thereof) in the offseason.  Too bad the team didn't address the issue.  Browns win.

6-4

Game 11 -  Vs. Carolina in Cleveland.  Can Jake Delhomme prove his former employer wrong?  That's not even the important question in this game.  What we really want to know is can the revamped Browns defense stop this two headed running attack?  I'm torn on this one and really think it could go either way.  By this point in the season we'll know if Fujita, Gokong, Roth, Ward, Asante, Haden and the gang have truly made a difference in the perennial bottom of the league ranked run defense.  Just because of all the unknowns I'm going Carolina.

6-5

Game 12 - At Miami Dolphins.  Instead of "my Dad can beat up your Dad" this could be a case of "my Wildcat can beat your Wildcat".  Actually, I look for Miami to move away from the Wildcat as a staple and run more of a traditional offense with Chad Henne at the helm.  Ricky is beyond old in NFL running back years and annual injuries have to be catching up with Ronnie Brown.  Brown eek out a surprise road win.

7-5

Game 13 - At Buffalo.  How is it that we are lucky enough to draw this team almost every year?  Stil no QB and the Bills - with an already strong running back corps (albeit with a knucklehead in Lynch) draft C.J. Spiller?  To top it off the team is switching to a 3-4 defense.  In my recollection no team has made a seamless transition from 4-3 to 3-4, and the personnel transition usually takes a couple of seasons.  Browns cruise - for a change.

8-5, and it's all downhill from here.....

Game 14 - At Cincy.  I think the Bengals pull a reverse of last year and get cohesive toward the end of the season - too little too late, they beat the Browns at home.  This keeps their Wild-Card hopes alive, only to be dashed by season ending losses to the Chargers and Ravens.

8-6

Game 15 - The Ravens come to town, leading the division and tuning up for a deep playoff run.  As I said, this is the team that is in my opinion likely the division champ and an unlikely hope for a Browns split.  Two division games to end the season and distance themselves from the pack, they crush the Browns, then the Bengals in week 16.

 

8-7

Game 16 - After a demoralizing blowout in week 15 to the Ravens, the Browns have a hard time getting up for this game.  I'd like to believe that the Steelers on the downslide, but as I said - I hope to split within the division and I have the Browns winning in Pittsburgh week 6.  I also think this game may have Wild-card implications for the Steelers.  Hopefully - it may even mathematically have some sort of hope for the Browns reaching the playoffs.  But, in the end I just can't see sweeping the season series with Pittsburgh.....this year.

 

8-8

That's my best case, most optomistic scenario for the season.  Some of it just Butch Davis style "gut feeling", a lot is just blatant guessing.  It could certainly be a lot worse.....but probably not Whatifsports.com 1-15 bad!

Anybody care to offer thier opinions - or refute mine?

I had a very annoying conversation recently with one of the worst types of Pittsburgh fans - the "Turn-Coat, Born and Raised In Cleveland, Bandwagon Jumping Maggot".  The "conversation" (if you can call speaking with a Being so low on the food chain conversing) started with my pointing out what an idiot Big Ben is for putting himself in the situation he is in.  This nearly useless, former shell of what was once possibly a human being, had the audacity to suggest that as a lifelong Browns Fan -  I was speaking out of jealousy.

He then went on to make the misguided suggestion that I - of all people - should "just give it up already, buy myself a Roethlisberger jersey and "convert to a winner".

I somehow managed to not laugh at the obvious ridiculousness of the suggestion and decided to explain my revulsion as best I could.

I asked "Have you seen that big LCD billboard on The Inner-belt going Downtown"?  The Mouthbreather drooled and nodded yes.  I said "You will sooner see me on the that billboard performing oral favors on a homeless guy  - on the corner of East 9th and Euclid - than see me wearing a Steelers jersey".

And THAT is how much I hate the Steelers.  Can anybody top that?

Heckert said in a press conference a while back that he was happy where we stand at WR and didn't consider the position a priority.  I hope he is playing things close to the vest, or has something up his sleeve, because the WR position is lacking in my opinion.

We Have Mo Mass, who while coming into his own after the B.E. trade is still wet behind the ears.  Robo had a hard time getting on the field but looked like things were starting to click in the last couple of games.  Stucki is promising, but once again, young and inexperienced.  Furrey has not been resigned and played more on defense than offense at the end of the season.  I know nothing about the guy we signed off of Green Bay's practice squad in November.

Last year David Patten was the veteran brought in to mentor the young guys.  Before that, this presence was Joe Jurevicious.  I'd really like to see a veteran wideout added to the roster, but unlike Patten, one that could really push the younger guys for playing time.  The other aspect of this type of player is someone that shows the young guys how to prepare and be a good teammate.  This would probably eliminate the biggest name left out there, T.O.  He's been on his best behavior for two seasons now, but I don't see him being the mentoring type.

After Jake Delhomme was signed Mushin Muhammed seemed like a logical choice for this role, but I'm not familiar enough to say whether he has anything left in the tank at 37 years old.

Here's a link to all the free agent WR's.  Most any of the real attractive names have been resigned or scooped up already.

 

http://www.sportingnews.com/freeagents/position/wr-name.html

 

Who that is available strikes some interest?

I've had this idea rattling around in my head for a while, but don't know how to determine the real "value" of a position in relation to a team to make it viable.

What if, lets just say, current NFL players were allowed to keep their current contracts, but as of the 2011 draft each position was designated a base salary and all other pay was based on incentives.  I'm not just talking about on the field, but off as well.  Incentives for attending OTA's, finishing your degree, making weight, staying clean etc.

There are so many stats freaks today (thank you Fantasy Football) that football has begun to rival baseball.  There has to be a way to statistically grade every position on a football team and adjust the salary, incentives and base salary to arrive at pay.  With the known averages of any positions statistics, teams could easily arrive at an average payroll for their teams, so a surprise at the end of the season is eliminated.  The team also is not blindsided by a player out performing his contract and asking for renegotiation, he just gets paid what he's earned.

Just like the NBA, positions base salaries could increase with each year of play, taking into account the average span of a career at that position.  Obviously, an Offensive Tackles salary would increase annually at a lower rate than a Running Back that only averages 3 to 5 years in the league.

The players argument is that the signing bonus is where the money is at, not the contract.  That is fine.  Base draft picks signing bonus on the base pay of the position they are selected for and round they were picked.  If there are seven rounds make it a multiplier of 7, for the sake of argument.  A first round OT gets the starting salary for his position x 7, a second rounder x 6, a third x 5, and so on.  If the draft pick makes his way onto the field he could earn an incentive just for that along with all the others of his position.

The confusion for me begins at determining one players value against another - and having the players buy into it.  Some of it is easy, a RT is less valuable to a team than a LT, the Center is more valuable than the RG.  How about specialists like Punters or Long Snappers?  What is their value vs. a nickel corner?  A lot of position players already buy into this theory, especially O-Lineman, but it gets slippery when you draft a linebacker to play mainly special teams.  How do you justify paying Blake Costanzo the same base pay as D'Quell Jackson?  His position is LB right?  Maybe you make base pay commensurate with draft position until the player is a starter?

The other hole in my system that I haven't really put a whole lot of thought into is Free Agency.  Just base it on years?  Years by position?  Make the signing bonus for a free agent equal to his draft positions current rate?  What does that mean for a UFA?

Holes in my system to be sure, but I think it's better than Ryan Leaf and JaMarcus Russel getting more money than tenured vets at the same positions.

Lets build this idea and send it to the NFL and the NFLPA!